Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has won a tied-record seven world championships in F1, but apart from his own skill in achieving this success, he also required help from a loyal team behind him.
While there are many that have assisted Hamilton during his illustrious career, none have perhaps come as close or been as integral as his assistant Angela Cullen.
Cullen started off in a different role with Hamilton, but the two have grown very fond of each other over the years and she now directly reports to Hamilton and even carries his luggage around!
Hamilton also has huge respect for Cullen and is often seen speaking with her around the paddock.
Having been in each other’s presence since 2016, the duo have even got matching tattoos of the ‘loyalty’ symbol.
“Angela [Cullen] and I are naturally incredibly close. We pretty much live together,” Hamilton said.
“People for sure won’t understand it, naturally, because they see it from a distance, but she has been one of the greatest things that’s happened to me in my life.”
Cullen works with Hamilton on the mental side of things.
A mental coach is an important component in a modern sportsperson’s arsenal.
Given their working proximity and vibe check match, it is natural that Lewis feels Cullen is one of the people he is most comfortable around.
Given her background in physiotherapy, the role she first worked for Hamilton in, she also helps the Stevenage-born driver to maintain his fitness levels.
Hamilton will turn 38 in 2023 and although some of his contemporaries like Fernando Alonso have shown that racing into the 40s is very much possible, Lewis still knows fitness is of paramount importance.
The Silver Arrows driver recently confessed to wanting to stay in the sport for a while to come and if he is to do so at his lofty standards, Cullen will undeniably play a starring role in ensuring that it happens.